Lamar held its annual pro day Monday morning at Provost Umphrey Stadium.

March 10, 2014

BEAUMONT, Texas -
Eleven former Lamar football players took part in LU's Pro Day Monday morning and Provost Umphrey Stadium. Former NFL running back, and current Green Bay Packers' scout Alonzo Highsmith was on campus to grade former Lamar players who want to continue their playing careers at the next level. Although Highsmith is affiliated with the Packers, he was representing all 32 NFL franchises.

"This is a great opportunity for all of us," said 2013 All-America defensive end Jesse Dickson. "I have the opportunity to show what I'm capable of at the next level. I've been working toward this moment since the season ended. You hear people all the time use the phrase `leave it on the field,' today is the day you have to leave everything on the field."

The players took part in nine drills, before breaking down into position specific workouts. The athletes were graded on the broad jump, bench press, vertical jump, 10 and 40-yard times, short shuttle run, long shuttle and the L drill.

Former All-Americans Jesse Dickson and Chris Maikranz put up the biggest numbers on the bench. Dickson lifted 225 pounds 22 times, while Maikranz recorded 18 repetitions with the same weight.

"I've enjoyed my four years in Beaumont," said Maikranz, a 2013 All-American deep snapper. "I feel truly blessed to have been given a scholarship to play football at Lamar. Not many guys receive an opportunity like that. I decided I was going to pour myself into the position, and that is what I did. There hasn't been a day go by that I don't think about being a deep snapper in the NFL."

Cornerback Branden Thomas recorded the best numbers in both jumps. He recorded a broad jump of 10-5, and a vertical of 35.5. He also had the fastest 40 time clocking a 4.58 in his first attempt, and posted a 4.44 in his second run. LU defensive backs Nashon Davis and Tyrus McGlothen recorded some of the strongest times in the short shuttle run. McGlothen clocked a 4.43, while Davis finished a hundredth of a second back at 4.44.

Following the individual drills, the players broke down in position specific drills. Former LU kicker Justin Stout was impressive with his accuracy. Stout attempted a number of kicks from varying distances beginning at 35 yards and moving back at five-yard intervals. Stout was perfect until his first attempt at 55 yards, but converted his next two attempts from that distance, only to put an exclamation on his workout by drilling a 56-yarder with room to spare.